However, thanks to the introduction of buy out clauses they all remain, just dangling tantalisingly out of reach.

Some could be met this summer, but others cost far too much. Either way, the names below are all the owners of the ten highest buyout clauses in the game.

9. Raphael Varane – Real Madrid

Buyout fee: £25m

The young Frenchman is incredibly highly-rated, but considering he’s consistently being tipped for a bright future in the game his buyout fee is set startlingly low. Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is rumoured to be just one of the manager’s interested in exploiting his low fee this summer.